On June 19, Ireland celebrated the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality. In 1982, a gay man called Declan Flynn was attacked in Fairview Park in Dublin, and later died from his injuries. His death sparked a catalyst among many people who lived in fear of expressing their sexuality publicly. A year later in June 1983, Ireland passed legislation that decriminalised homosexuality. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, an openly gay man, last week paid tribute to those who suffered before the legislation was passed. “Men and women of all ages who tried to live and love and be themselves in a society where their identity was feared and despised, and who were aliens in their own country for their entire lives.,” he said.